3 Grizzlies who must have strong finishes to regular season

2. Luke Kennard

Despite being one of the highest-paid players on this Grizzlies roster with a salary of $14.7 million, through five months of action Luke Kennard has become one of the more forgotten, regularly active contributors within Taylor Jenkins' rotation.

Though this has partially been due to nagging injuries and other inactivities, as he's missed 37 games and counting due to various ailments and has missed the past few games due to the birth of his child, for a majority of the campaign, the veteran's contributions have simply fallen short of his pay-grade and, as a result, has found his name constantly attached to trade rumors.

Logging 25.2 minutes a night, Kennard finds himself posting averages of 11.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds.

To be fair, the two guard does still find himself cashing in at an insanely high rate from beyond the arc, as he ranks second in three-point percentage (45.4) out of those who have hoisted 200 or more long-range shots this season, but the idea of spending such high-end capital on a specialty player has seemingly become a serious debate among Memphis' decision-makers, hence the trade rumblings.

It is because of this that it may be in Kennard's best interest to show out down the stretch once he makes his way back to the hardwood, as he holds a club option worth $14.7 million for next year and is likely looking to prove his worth of being opted into.